Medical workstation with integrated support of process steps

ABSTRACT

A device ( 13 ) is provided for use with a treatment device for treating a patient. The device ( 13 ) includes a detection device ( 17 ) for detecting at least one transition of the patient&#39;s treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment. A signal device ( 25 ) for sending at least one signal when the transition is detected. It proposes, furthermore, a workstation equipped herewith.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2008 034 243.3 filed Jul. 23, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a device for use with a treatment device for treating a patient pertains as well as to a workstation with a plurality of treating devices and/or monitoring devices for the treatment and/or monitoring of the patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern workstations for the treatment of patients, for example, in the area of anesthesia, intensive care or neonatology, are known from practice. These workstations are characterized by high requirements imposed on the integration of devices used simultaneously or with one another. Thus, a number of devices, such as patient monitors, drug pumps, documentation systems and others are regularly connected functionally into one integrated workstation.

The treatment carried out with the workstation may comprise a plurality of phases, which follow each other and can often be clearly distinguished from one another. Based on the example of anesthesia, these phases may comprise induction of anesthesia, maintenance of anesthesia and emergence from anesthesia. These phases can, furthermore, be divided into detailed process steps. Additional activities, which pertain, for example, to the transfer of the patient from the induction room into the operating room, use of a heart-lung machine, taking of x-rays and the like, can be optionally added to the individual phases.

When passing over from a first phase of the treatment to a second phase, it is necessary, as a rule, to manually adapt a number of settings at the workstation or at the treatment devices comprised by said workstation to phase-typical or phase-dependent boundary conditions. Based on the example of anesthesia, interactions, such as changes in therapy settings (gas concentration, ventilation parameters), alarm settings (setting of alarm limits, activation/deactivation of alarms) as well as adjustments to the control surface, may be necessary at the time of such a phase transition. These actions, which are repeated during each treatment or anesthesia, must be carried out separately at individual components and devices comprised by the workstation.

The adjustments of the above-mentioned settings regularly represent a great effort for the person in charge of the treatment of the patient (the attending physician or nurse). It can therefore be observed in practice that regularly only the most needed adjustments, e.g., the control of the depth of anesthesia by setting the gaseous anesthetic concentration, are carried out at the time of transition from one phase of treatment to the next, especially under time pressure and stress. Other adjustments, for example, the adjustment of the alarm settings, are often neglected because of the complicated and uncomfortable operation. This may lead to undesired behavior of the device. One example of this is false alarms caused by suboptimal settings. However, dangerous situations may occur as well, because important interactions, such as reactivation of the alarms of hemodynamic monitoring after the termination of the operation of the heart-lung machine, were forgotten or were not executed for other reasons. Thus, the insufficient technical support does not prevent erroneous human behavior, which represents a considerable safety risk. Furthermore, the operation of the therapeutic workstation differs from one user to the next while the activities are comparable per se. This makes it difficult to improve quality by means of standardized procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved device for supporting the user in charge of treating the patient.

According to the invention, a device is provided for use with a treatment device for treating a patient. The device comprises a detection means for detecting at least one phase of treatment and/or a transition of the patient's treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment and a signal means for sending at least one signal related to the detected phase of treatment and/or a signal when the transition is detected.

A device is provided according to the present invention, which has at least one detection means, by means of which a transition of the treatment of the patient from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment, from a second phase of treatment to a third, from a third phase of treatment to a fourth, etc., can be detected. Moreover, a phase of treatment may also be able to be detected by means of the detection means. It is thus possible to detect or identify the first, present phase as such independently from a phase transition. Means known to the person skilled in the art, such as measuring means or patient monitors, may be used for this. Inputs by the user and combined, semiautomatic detections are likewise covered by the present invention.

A treatment phase is defined according to the present invention as a phase such as the phases of induction, anesthesia maintenance and wake-up phase mentioned above based on the example of anesthesia. Phases may comprise, according to the invention, a process or a plurality of processes as well as subphases. A phase is characterized by one parameter or a plurality of parameters. The transition from a first phase of treatment to a second one may therefore comprise a change in one or more parameters. A phase transition shall not be defined according to the present invention as being limited to intermittent transitions. A phase transition may rather also take place continuously, steadily, with a range of overlap or the like. It may therefore likewise be possible that both features of the first phase and features of the second phase can be observed simultaneously along with each other at defined times during the phase transition.

The device according to the present invention has, furthermore, at least one signal means for sending at least one signal as a consequence of the detection of a transition. A signal is defined according to the present invention quite generally as communicated information: The signal may indicate, for example, that a phase transition has taken place, is taking place or will take place (announcement). Besides or as an alternative to the communication function, the signal may also have a regulating or controlling action: Thus, the signal can inform the treating person of a phase transition in case of a suitable display (optical, acoustic, etc.). However, the signal may also act on the treatment device in such a way as to bring about, triggered by the reception of the signal, changes in treatment parameters and/or treatment processes. The signal, which is sent when the transition is detected, may precede the point in time at which the transition takes place, coincide with it or follow it in time. However, the signal may also pertain to a currently present phase only, i.e., it may be sent separated from a phase transition.

A phase or a phase transition can be detected according to the present invention by means of the detection means, for example, on the basis of a manual identification, e.g., by inputting via user interaction elements by the user. However, semiautomatic detection in the sense of identification, for example, by the analysis of information of the device sensors, of patient monitoring, of time measurement and the like is also defined according to the present invention as “detection,” and so is an acknowledgement of a changeover from one phase to another, which is proposed by the user. Furthermore, purely automatic detection or identification of a phase or of a phase transition is also possible by means of the detection means. For example, the first-time recognition by the machine of an administration of anesthetics or the like can thus represent a phase transition. The sending of the signal may lead to automatic activation of the relevant alarm for the drug concentration.

Thus, a device with a display means for displaying the phase of treatment in which the patient is at a defined point in time is proposed in a preferred embodiment. This point in time may already be in the past, or it may pertain to the current point in time of polling or to a point in time in the future. The history of the treatment as well as expected treatment events such as phase transitions can thus be displayed by means of the display means. The knowledge of the treatment phase in which the patient is at the given point in time (displayed, for example, by the display means) makes it possible for the treating person to make a comparatively simple classification or rating of parameter values. Thus, a defined parameter value may be unusual for a first phase of treatment but usual for a second phase of treatment. If the phase of treatment of the patient during which the parameter had a defined parameter value is displayed to the treating person, deviations of the parameter can be determined more easily and countermeasures can possibly be initiated sooner.

In another preferred embodiment, the device according to the present invention has a selection means for selecting future treatment phases. The definition of “selection” also includes dropping, terminating, confirming and the like. The possible phases of treatment may be limited only to the phases that are meaningfully considered in the phase as the next phase based on a current phase. A selection of decisions can thus be offered to the treating person, in which every one of the options to be selected is also meaningful and desirable at the moment of selection. The mental selection of phases that are logically not possible or are less desirable in the particular case or at the particular moment is thus simplified. Nonsensical options can already be recognized as such at the device and cannot be offered in the first phase at all. Whether the selection takes place for the point in time of the selection operation or for a point in time that is in the future, especially the near future in time, makes no difference according to the present invention. The selection by means of the selection means may take place, for example, via one or more user interaction elements.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the device has a display means for displaying the actions associated with a phase or with a phase transition. A review of all the processes and operations that are relevant or necessary during the phase or at the time of the change from one phase to another may now be displayed to the user. This is especially helpful for those whose adjustment must not be overlooked and/or for those that are executed automatically by the treating person during the phase transition. The treating person is thus always in the picture about which changes are, in particular, associated or must be associated with a transition of the treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second one.

As was already provided in another preferred embodiment, individual actions or adjustment of the parameters thereof can be dropped by means of an input means. Furthermore, the phase transition can be confirmed or terminated.

In yet another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the device has a data bank means for storing work flows, e.g., SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) in a comprehensive manner. All the possibly parametrized actions and SOPs, which are carried out at the time of a phase transition or a transition from one state to another, can be defined in such a work flow data bank. For example, all ECG (electrocardiogram) alarms can be switched off or suspended following activation of the heart-lung machine. The data bank may contain meaningful presettings provided by the manufacturer, which can counteract erroneous setting and contribute to increased safety. The data bank may be designed such that it can be adjusted by the user to any desired standards, including local ones (SOPs) and norms with suitable tools. Whether or not a confirmation by the user is necessary before the action is carried out may possibly also be stored in the data bank. For example, it would be possible to specify that a message is sent to the operating room cleaning team without checking at the time of transition into the phase of emergence from an anesthesia. Besides the definition of a standard setting, the data bank may also have sets of settings, which are specific of certain interventions.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the device according to the present invention has, furthermore, a control means for controlling the work flow. Inputs entered via the selection means, the input means and the like as well as the detection means can be checked for consistency by means of such a control means. Furthermore, especially if the nature of the intervention or treatment can be polled from the surgery planning or other IT systems, the standard settings can be replaced with specific settings from the process data bank. Furthermore, the corresponding actions can be polled from the work flow data bank in case of phase transitions or transitions from one state to another and the actions stored may possibly be presented to the user for confirmation via the operating and display unit. The actions confirmed by the user can be communicated in suitable formats to receivers, for example, the internal device control or external IT systems.

The advantages that can be obtained according to the present invention comprise, among other things, optimal support of the person treating the patient and a general improvement in operating convenience.

Furthermore, the patient's safety is markedly increased compared to the extent hitherto common in practice. Improved safety of the patient and checking by the user, among other things, by the acknowledgment mechanism described, can thus be guaranteed. The number of human interactions necessary during a phase transition can be limited to a minimum. Operating convenience is increased while the probability of operating errors is minimized at the same time.

Furthermore, a positive effect on quality and efficiency can be achieved due to more standardized procedures (SOPs—Standard Operating Procedures) by means of the technical support of the treating person by the device according to the present invention. The present invention advantageously contributes, furthermore, to documentation, for example, in connection with surgical procedures, because phase transitions are already detected by the device and their occurrence only needs to be stored. This also applies to the processes brought about by the signal sent or to transmitted information. Furthermore, SOPs can be technically supported. Standardization and hence quality assurance of anesthesia can likewise be promoted. Higher-level work flows of the hospital can be triggered or supported by connecting external IT systems. A work flow data bank that can be freely configured offers the needed flexibility to add, adjust or update standards. The workstation documentation and especially the anesthesia documentation can be automatically complemented with information on the phase identification.

The present invention is also accomplished by a workstation, especially an anesthesia workstation, with a plurality of treatment devices and/or monitoring devices for treating and/or monitoring the patient with the device features for treatment phase detection and signaling. The workstation has at least one device according to the present invention as described above. Since all the advantages discussed above can be gained in full measure by means of the workstation according to the present invention, reference is expressly made here to the above discussion of these advantages to avoid repetitions.

The above-described procedure can also be applied in this form to other workstations, especially workstations used in emergency medicine. It is advantageous in this connection if a component of the integrated workstation ensures the needed connectivity and a computing unit images the above-described process logic.

It is advantageously possible in an intensive care workstation to adjust the settings of the actuator mechanism and alarm management as well as of the graphic user interface of the patient monitor, respirator, thermotherapy device, syringe/infusion pumps and hemofiltration apparatus during defined phases. These phases, which are associated with treatment steps performed at the patient, include, for example, basic nursing (washing, positioning), physical therapy, endotracheal suction, taking of blood, resuscitation, transport, etc.

What was said in connection with the intensive care workstation in reference to the above-described invention applies to the neonatological workstation. However, integration of thermotherapy (incubators, heat radiators) and the work flows associated therewith is of particular importance here.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the drawings. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an example of an integrated anesthesia workstation;

FIG. 2 is consecutive phases with respective phase transitions between them based on the example of anesthesia with a gaseous anesthetic;

FIG. 3 is an example of a “phase indicator and phase transition” interface;

FIG. 4 is an example of a “Confirmation of phase transition” control interface; and

FIG. 5 is a possible system setup for a device according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in particular, FIG. 1 shows an example of an integrated workstation 1 for treating a patient from anesthesia. The anesthesia apparatus 3 as the core of the workstation 1 is technically linked with additional devices such as a patient monitor 5, drug pumps 7, a documentation system 9, a control interface 11 and other components.

FIG. 2 shows an example of consecutive phases of an anesthesia with a phase transition each between them. The phases “induction” 2, “maintenance” 4 and “emergence” 6 can be further divided into more detailed process steps such as “premedication” 8, “intubation” 10, “wash-in” 12, “instrumentalization” 16, “wash-out” 18 and “extubation” 20. They may optionally also be complemented with processes such as transfer of the patient from one operating room into another, the switching on of a heart-lung machine (HLM) 14, FIG. 3, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a “phase indicator and phase transition” interface. User interaction elements for the transition into another phase are displayed. Only logically possible phases, such as “induction” 2, “maintenance” 4 and use of the heart-lung machine 14 (HLM) and “emergence” 6, are displayed to the user for selection.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a “confirmation of phase transition”, “maintenance” 4, “emergence” 6 control interface 11 with a sequential succession of the relevant phases during anesthesia during a cardiac surgical intervention with the use of the heart-lung machine HLM, which [interface] can be used during a treatment according to the example shown in Table 1 with ten phase transitions (“0” to “9,” see tabular representation in Table 1). The information that is displayed to the user during the particular phase transition for confirmation (cf. FIG. 4) is found under “therapy settings” and “alarm settings” in Table 1. Furthermore, the particular adjustments that are performed at the user interface are listed under “UI adjustments” (UI=User Interface). The communication of confirmed phase transitions with external IT systems for the purpose of documentation and process control is not shown or indicated in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Phase Phase transition Therapy settings Alarm settings Control interface 0 Standby → Gas concentration: Oxygen Alarms Display “Intubation;” preoxygenation douche switched off display relevant Ventilation: parameters only manual/spontaneous Drugs: propofol & fentanyl + propofol bolus 1 Preoxygenation → Gas concentration: Alarms Display: “Wash-in,” intubation Oxygen douche switched off capnogram analysis Ventilation: manual/ spontaneous 2 Intubation → Gas concentration: 30% O₂/ Ventilation Display: “Wash-in” 70% N₂O alarms and “Instrumentaliza-tion” Ventilation: automatic hemodynamic Drugs: “Stop propofol. alarms in Auto sevoflurane 2%, during Wake-up mode expiration 3 “Wash-in”→ Hemodynamic Display: instrumentalization alarms in Auto “Maintenance” Wake-up mode 4 Instrumentalization All alarms Display: “HLM” → maintenance activated Display: “Wash-out” 5 Maintenance → Ventilation: Reduced Display: HLM Pause/Off or manual/ alarms, HLM “Maintenance” spontaneous or automatic mode ventilation 6 HLM → Gas concentration: 30% O₂/ All alarms Display: “HLM” Maintenance 70% N₂O activated Display: “Wash-out” Ventilation: automatic Drugs: fentanyl and sevoflurane 2%, during expiration 7 Maintenance → Gas concentration: 100% O₂ Reduced Display: “Extubation” Wash-out Ventilation: automatic alarms Drugs: none 8 “Wash-out” → Gas concentration: 100% O₂ Alarms Display: “Standby” extubation Ventilation: automatic switched off Drugs: none 9 Extubation → None Alarms standby switched off

A first phase transition is designated by “0” in Table 1. The user now administers an “oxygen douche” (100% O₂ with high fresh gas flow) to the patient for the first time and administers relaxing and sedating drugs in order to prepare the patient for intubation.

An “intubation” phase transition designated by “1” is confirmed by the user. He can very easily check the success of the intubation by means of the automatically displayed capnogram without being distracted by disturbing alarms; these are automatically suppressed, as can be seen in the “alarm settings” column.

The dialog for the wash-in is automatically offered to the user after intubation during the phase transition designated by “2” (capnogram analysis). Respiration and anesthesia with a gaseous anesthetic is started after confirmation of the values proposed by the treating person. Alarms that are no longer needed are in turn switched off. If the expiratory target concentration in the breathing gas is reached, the dialog for a transition “3” into the phase of instrumentalization appears, during which all hemodynamic alarms are in the automatic wake-up mode after confirmation by the user.

If the induction measures are concluded, the user can change over manually into anesthesia maintenance (transition “4”) by actuating the “maintenance” button. The patient is adequately respirated and anesthetized and all alarms are activated now.

The HLM is used (transition “5”) in the course of surgery. The user actuates the “HLM” button for this purpose and confirms the corresponding dialog. The alarms are set to the HLM mode in order to avoid false alarms. Respiration and anesthesia are likewise reduced, because these tasks are taken over by the HLM.

If the output of the HLM is reduced in the further course, this can be detected from pulses of the invasive pressure and resumption of the ECG activity (transition “6”). This leads to automatic display of the corresponding dialog; respiration, dispensing of anesthetic and full alarm functionality are reactivated.

After conclusion of the procedure (transition “7”), the user can start the emergence from the anesthesia by actuating the “wash-out” button—the gaseous anesthetics are washed out, oxygen saturation is reached, and the alarm functionality is reduced.

If the patient is sufficiently alert (transition “8”), the user can prepare the patient for the extubation by actuating the “extubation” button. All alarms are deactivated for this.

The anesthesia is thus concluded and the apparatus can pass over into the standby mode (transition “9”).

FIG. 5 shows possible components of a device 13 according to the present invention with a control means 15 for work flows, with a detection means 17, with an input and display means 19, with a data bank means 21 and with additional means. It is pointed out that individual components may be provided in order to assume more than only one function. For example, one means may send a signal and also store same.

The control means 15 is connected via an apparatus control 22 to a data logging means 23, to a generator 24 for generating control surfaces and to a signal means 25. Settings may be made via a module 26. Furthermore, a surgery planning module 27 and a surgery documentation module 28 are provided.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

APPENDIX List of Reference Numbers

-   1 Workstation -   2 Induction -   3 Anesthesia apparatus -   4 Maintenance -   5 Patient monitor -   6 Emergence -   7 Drug pump -   8 Premedication -   9 Documentation system -   10 Intubation -   11 Control interface -   12 Wash-in -   13 Device -   14 Heart-lung machine -   15 Control means -   16 Instrumentalization -   17 Detection means -   18 Wash-out -   19 Input and display means -   20 Extubation -   21 Data bank means -   22 Apparatus control -   23 Data logging means -   24 Generator for control surfaces -   25 Signal means -   26 Module for settings -   27 Surgery planning module -   28 Surgery documentation module 

1. A device for use with a treatment device for treating a patient, the device comprising: a detection means for detecting at least one phase of treatment and/or a transition of the patient's treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment; and a signal means for sending at least one of a signal related to the detected phase of treatment and a signal when the transition is detected.
 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a display means for displaying the phase of treatment in which the patient is at a point in time.
 3. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: an input means for selecting possible phases of treatment.
 4. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a display means for displaying the actions associated with a change from one phase to another.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: an input means for changing values that the treatment device seeks to reach or are set in the device for treatment parameters of phases of treatment.
 6. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a data bank means for storing work flows data.
 7. A device in accordance with claim 1, with a control means for controlling work flow.
 8. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: wherein the device for treatment is a device for anesthetizing the patient.
 9. A medical workstation, comprising: a plurality of treating devices and/or monitoring devices for the treatment and/or monitoring of a patient; and a treatment phase detection and signaling device comprising a detection means for detecting at said plurality of treating devices and/or monitoring devices at least one phase of treatment and/or a transition of the patient's treatment from a first phase of treatment to a second phase of treatment; and a signal means for sending at least one of a signal related to the detected phase of treatment and a signal when the transition is detected.
 10. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device further comprises: a display means for displaying the phase of treatment in which the patient is at a point in time.
 11. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device further comprises: an input means for selecting possible phases of treatment.
 12. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device further comprising: a display means for displaying the actions associated with a change from one phase to another.
 13. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device further comprises: an input means for changing values that the treating devices and/or monitoring devices seeks to reach or are set in the device for treatment parameters of phases of treatment.
 14. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device further comprises: a data bank means for storing work flows data.
 15. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device with a control means for controlling work flow.
 16. A workstation in accordance with claim 9, wherein the treating devices and/or monitoring devices include at least one device for anesthetizing the patient.
 17. A medical workstation system, comprising: a plurality of medical treating/monitoring devices for one or more of treating and monitoring of a patient; and a treatment phase detection and signaling device comprising a detection means operatively connected to the medical treating/monitoring devices for detecting phases of treatment and a transition from one phase of treatment to a subsequent phase of treatment; and a signal means for sending a signal related to at least one of the detected phases of treatment and transition from one phase of treatment to a subsequent phase of treatment.
 18. A workstation in accordance with claim 17, wherein said detection means comprises: at least one of a measuring device, a patient monitor, a user input and a semiautomatic detection device.
 19. A workstation in accordance with claim 17, wherein said treatment phase detection and signaling device further comprises: a display means for displaying at least one of the phase of treatment in which the patient is at a point in time and for displaying the actions associated with a change from one phase to another; and an input means for at least one of selecting possible phases of treatment and changing values that the treating/monitoring devices seeks to reach or are set in the device for treatment parameters of phases of treatment.
 20. A workstation in accordance with claim 17, wherein the treating/monitoring devices include at least one device for anesthetizing the patient. 